JAPAN AND NEW ZEALAND

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23515, 1 June 1938, Page 12

JAPAN AND NEW ZEALAND

TO THE EDITOR Sir, —You published in this morning's Daily Times an interesting article headed “ The Rising Sun —Japan’s Aims in the Pacific.” It appears to me that the people of New Zealand are living very largely in a fool’s paradise and oblivious of the imminent danger from the ambitious, unscrupulous yellow men of Japan. Colonel Haskall, whom you quote, says of the Japanese that they are going to dominate the Pacific, and “this,” he adds, “is a problem for New Zealand and Australia in particular.” , , . If the Japanese are successful in China, as they evidently, think they, are going to be, we in New Zealand had better look out. There is no doubt that the Japanese, through their “ visiting friends” and “peace embassies,’ have mapped out the whole of New Zealand’s coastal defences, centres of population, and everything else. Some people may think that there is a good deal of scaremongering in this statement, but in a recent work on Japan by Lieutenant-commander Tota Ishimaru, there is the following statement:—” Should Britain not understand the elementary components of the present problem, Japan would profit by the weakening of the British Empire, the apathy of the dominions, and the weakness and the decadence of the British Navy. She would suddenly attack the navy when it is scattered throughout the seven seas. Australia and New Zealand would be the first aims of the conquerors. Hongkong would be taken quickly, and India would be helped by an invasion.” From various sources we get constant reminders of the fact that Japan, with its overflowing population and its boundless ambition, has its eye fixed on New Zealand —the pearl of the Pacific. If our Governments continue to play with the matter of defence, we may have a similar problem in New Zealand to that which they are having in Shanghai and other parts of China to-day—the bombing of helpless cities and the murdering of thousands. In my judgment, this matter ought to be taken up very diligently by the Government authorities, chambers of commerce, and others who should be alert to the threatening danger. Personally, I do not think that Japan will ever conquer China, but, should she be successful, it would be a mighty bad day for New Zealand. A word to the wise is sufficient. —I am, etc., Britannic. Dunedin, May 31.